The short version: The ENG1 is a medical examination confirming you're fit to work at sea. It takes about 30–45 minutes, costs £80–£180, and is valid for 2 years (1 year if you're over 40 or have certain conditions). You need it alongside your STCW before you can legally work as professional crew.

In this guide

  1. What is an ENG1 medical?
  2. Who needs an ENG1?
  3. What does the examination involve?
  4. How long is an ENG1 valid?
  5. How much does it cost?
  6. Where to get an ENG1
  7. ENG1 equivalents for non-UK crew
  8. What if I fail?
  9. Frequently asked questions

What is an ENG1 medical?

The ENG1 is a seafarer fitness certificate issued by an approved medical examiner following a physical examination. The name comes from the UK Merchant Shipping (Medical Examination) Regulations, where ENG1 is the form number — though the same examination is recognised across most flag states worldwide.

It confirms that you are medically fit to work as a seafarer — that you don't have any condition that would prevent you from performing your duties safely at sea or that would require medical attention that couldn't be provided on a vessel.

Alongside your STCW certificate, the ENG1 is the second foundational document every professional yacht crew member needs before they can legally work aboard.

Superyacht crew on deck

Who needs an ENG1?

Anyone working professionally as crew on a commercially coded yacht needs an ENG1 (or an equivalent seafarer medical). This includes:

  • Deckhands, bosuns, and deck officers
  • Stewardesses, stewards, and chief stewardesses
  • Yacht engineers and chief engineers
  • Yacht chefs and cooks
  • Captains and mates

If you're a day worker helping to move a yacht between marinas or doing brief maintenance work, the requirement varies — but for any sustained professional employment, assume you need one.

What does the ENG1 examination involve?

The appointment typically takes 30–45 minutes. The doctor works through a structured set of assessments:

Vision

Near and distant vision in each eye, with and without glasses or contact lenses. Colour vision is also tested using Ishihara plates — colour blindness can affect your eligibility for watchkeeping roles, though it doesn't automatically disqualify you from all crew positions.

Hearing

A basic hearing test to ensure you can hear safety-critical communications. You'll typically be asked to hear whispered words at a set distance in each ear.

Blood pressure and heart rate

Standard cardiovascular assessment. Elevated blood pressure can require further investigation, but a single reading isn't necessarily disqualifying — the doctor will consider context.

Urine test

Checked for glucose, protein, and blood — indicators of underlying conditions that could affect your fitness for sea service.

General physical examination

The doctor will assess your musculoskeletal system, respiratory system, and general health. They may ask you to demonstrate basic movements. They'll also review your medical history and current medications.

Medical history review

You'll complete a form covering existing conditions, past surgeries, current medications, and mental health history. Be honest — an undisclosed condition that comes to light at sea creates far greater problems for you and your employer than declaring it at the examination stage.

Common conditions that need declaring (but don't automatically fail you): Asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, depression, anxiety, and previous surgeries are all declarable conditions. The examiner assesses whether the condition is well-controlled and unlikely to cause safety issues at sea — many crew work successfully with declared conditions. What disqualifies people is being caught concealing something, not usually the condition itself.

How long is an ENG1 valid?

Situation Validity period
Standard (under 40, no conditions) 2 years
Age 40 or over 1 year
Certain declared medical conditions 1 year (or less, at doctor's discretion)
First-time seafarer under 18 1 year

Set a reminder a month before your certificate expires — lapses are common and will prevent you from signing on to a new vessel until renewed.

How much does an ENG1 cost?

The ENG1 examination is not NHS-funded; it's a private medical and you pay the doctor directly. Costs vary by provider and location:

Location Typical cost
UK (standard approved doctor) £85 – £150
UK (port medical centre / clinic) £120 – £180
Spain / Palma €100 – €170
France / Antibes €100 – €160
USA / Fort Lauderdale $150 – $250
Australia (equivalent examination) A$150 – A$250

Where to find an approved ENG1 doctor

The examiner must be approved by the relevant maritime authority for the certificate to be valid. Using a non-approved GP will produce a document that is not legally accepted.

UK

The MCA (Maritime and Coastguard Agency) maintains the UK list of approved ENG1 doctors. You can search by postcode on the MCA website. Port health centres in Southampton, London (Tilbury), Liverpool, and Bristol tend to have the shortest waiting times and are used to seeing large volumes of seafarers.

Spain (Palma)

Several clinics in Palma are experienced in seafarer medicals and familiar with MCA requirements. Ask in the Palma Yacht Crew Facebook group for current recommendations — the clinic landscape changes and crew will always have the most up-to-date information.

France (Antibes)

The GMPCM (approved French maritime medical centre system) runs examinations in Antibes. Some private clinics catering to the yachting community also offer MCA-equivalent examinations — verify MCA approval before booking.

Worldwide

My Crew Kit maintains a searchable database of ENG1 doctors worldwide, including equivalents for Australian, NZ, and US crew. It's the most practical resource for finding an approved examiner outside the UK.

ENG1 equivalents for non-UK crew

The ENG1 is a UK certificate, but most major flag states operate their own equivalent:

Country Equivalent certificate Issuing authority
Australia ML5 (Marine Light Duties) AMSA approved doctor
USA USCG Medical Certificate Approved USCG doctor
New Zealand Medical Fitness Certificate Maritime NZ approved examiner
South Africa COF (Certificate of Fitness) SAMSA approved examiner

Many vessels accept any of these equivalents provided they're current. If your captain or a flag state authority asks for a specific format, that supersedes everything else.

What if I don't pass my ENG1?

The examiner may issue a Temporary ENG1 if they need further information before confirming fitness — for example, if your blood pressure is elevated and they want a second reading, or if they need a letter from your GP confirming a condition is well-controlled. This is common and usually resolved within a few weeks.

If you're assessed as unfit, you have the right to appeal to the MCA. Many cases where an initial doctor has been conservative are overturned or modified on appeal. Get advice from a maritime solicitor or your union (Nautilus International is the primary seafarers' union in the UK and offers member support for medical issues).

In practice, outright failures are uncommon. The vast majority of applicants get through with no issues.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to fast before an ENG1 appointment?
Not usually. The urine test checks for blood, glucose, and protein rather than fasting glucose levels. Some doctors may advise avoiding caffeine before the blood pressure check, but this isn't a universal requirement. Check with your specific provider when booking.
Can I use my ENG1 on all vessels?
A UK ENG1 is accepted by most flag states and on most commercially coded yachts worldwide. Some flag states may require their own version — your captain will know what their vessel's flag state requires. In practice, a current ENG1 is accepted virtually everywhere in the superyacht industry.
I take medication — will this affect my ENG1?
Declare all medication. The examiner assesses whether your condition is stable and your medication is appropriate for someone working at sea — not whether you're medically perfect. Many crew work successfully while taking medication for conditions like hypertension, thyroid disorders, or mild depression. Concealing medication is riskier than declaring it.
Is there a drug test as part of the ENG1?
The standard ENG1 does not include a drug and alcohol test. However, many yacht operators and flag states require separate drug screening as part of crew sign-on. This is separate from the ENG1 process.
My ENG1 has expired — can I still work?
No. An expired ENG1 means you're not legally permitted to work as professional crew until it's renewed. Don't let it lapse — book your renewal a month before expiry. Some captains will sign crew on provisionally while renewal is being processed, but this is at their discretion and carries risk for the vessel's coding.